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December 20, 2018

Trivia time! What do automotive quality
standards, GaN power amplifiers, Wi-Fi interference and cable networks have in common? The answer?
Absolutely nothing — except that they’re all topics of Qorvo’s Top 10 blog posts
for 2018! Once again, Qorvo’s talented bevy of blog writers and tech experts delivered
wonder and awe to faithful readers as they skillfully negotiated tech topics ranging from BAW to
GaN to FWA to ESD and DOCSIS 3.1.

The Qorvo Blog is truly a one-stop shop for acronyms, er, tech topics of interest to the entire
RF industry. We hope you’ll take a moment to peruse our most read articles from 2018 …
from one to ten.

A qualified automotive part may have similar specs as a commercial product, but don’t
be fooled. Learn what those stringent standards — like IATF 16949, AEC-Q100 and
AEC-Q200 — and additional tests really mean. Read more >

One of the earliest uses of 5G will be FWA, which promises to deliver gigabit internet
speeds. But every new technology brings new design challenges, and FWA is no different. Take a
technical deep dive into the five decisions you should evaluate to minimize the cost,
complexity, size and power dissipation of a FWA system. Read more >

There are many ways to address interference issues when designing Wi-Fi access points, but
high-Q bandedge filters are one strategy to address the biggest coexistence issues from the
outset and make use of every bit of spectrum available. Read more >

GaN power amplifier (PA) design requires some different approaches and thinking compared to
LDMOS or GaAs. Learn how nonlinear simulation models, like those from Modelithics, can help
speed up your design processes, in Part 1 of a two-part introductory series. Read more >

#5 – Model-Based GaN PA Design Basics:
What’s in an I-V Curve?

Understanding the impact and nuances of current-voltage (I‑V) curves is a fundamental part of
learning how to design GaN PAs. Read Part 2 in our introduction on the basics of using
nonlinear models to make your design process more accurate and efficient. Read more >

#6 – Enabling 10 Gbps Cable Networks with
Full Duplex DOCSIS 3.1

Full Duplex DOCSIS 3.1 — or FDX for short — is one approach CATV operators are
trying to increase the capacity of their HFC networks to support next-gen data requirements.
Learn more about this new technology, its biggest challenges and how MSOs and RF suppliers are
bringing it to life. Read more >

#7 – The Impact of the IoT on Energy
Efficiency

From large, commercial office buildings to your own home, the Internet of Things (IoT)
offers an array of energy efficiency benefits. Qorvo’s Cees Links explains how in the
third of a five-part series on the IoT. Read more >

#8 – What’s Best? Wi-Fi 6
(802.11ax) or 5G?

Cees Links weighs in on which technology might win in the battle for wireless connectivity
— the newest generation of Wi-Fi or “the next G.” (A hint? It's not what
you think.) Read more >

Simulating current-voltage waveforms at intrinsic ports can help improve your GaN power
amplifier design and optimize for a particular mode or class of operation. Guest blogger Dr.
Larry Dunleavy of Modelithics explains how in this ongoing blog series about GaN HEMT nonlinear
models. Read more >

#10 – How NB-IoT and LTE-M Fit into the IoT
Ecosystem: The Future of Cellular IoT

LTE‑M. NB‑IoT. eMTC. LTE Cat‑M1. LTE Cat‑NB. It's a veritable mouthful of acronym soup, all
to describe two categories of cellular IoT (or mobile IoT). This blog explores the two biggest
standards, their potential uses and some implementation options for device makers looking to add
cellular connectivity. Read more >

Have another topic that you would like Qorvo experts to cover? Email your
suggestions to the Qorvo Blog team and it
could be featured in an upcoming post.

About the Author

Qorvo Blog Team

One part technical, one part content, and one part strategic, our small team is dedicated to connecting you with helpful, timely insights from some of the bright minds at Qorvo.